ONE // Aviators are my go-to sunglasses in the summer. This black on black pair is super chic.

TWO // All I want to wear are loose knit tees and lightweight sweaters. This marled grey option from Nasty Gal drapes in all the right places. And I love the dolman sleeves (aka: large armhole, tight cuff).

THREE // I am not going to Coachella, but I’m inspired by Julia Chaplin’s book, Gypset Travel, and blog.

FOUR // I have a new favorite earring – fan posts. And these gold geo studs are so cool.

FIVE // Shagreen (or sharkskin) is one of my favorite trends right now. This ceramic version would be the perfect addition to my console table, or a great Mother’s Day gift.

SIX // Ever since my trip to Roundtop, I’ve been on the hunt for some vintage paint-by-numbers. They’re kitschy, but in a good and modern way.

SEVEN // It’s time to start prettying the patio. My thumb is far from green, so I am looking to fill modern pots with low maintenance succulents and grasses. I love this planter from The Home Depot.

EIGHT // I’ve been rockin’ cooper nails and toes all week thanks to Etsy’s “Penny Talk”.

NINE // I’ve been talking about wedge sneakers for a long time. I really want a pair, but can’t take the plunge. In a dream world, I’d be randomly gifted these Isabel Marants. They’re astronomically expensive, but my far my favorite on the market.

TEN // This nordic kilim rug from Dash & Albert arrived at my house earlier this week. I’m in love.

Artist inspired textiles and ceramics having been catching my eye recently. Specifically, “hand painted”, speckled or splattered dots. This trend may have started on Etsy or with indie designers, but mainstream retailers like West Elm, Crate & Barrel and the new Saturday by Kate Spade are taking note. This pillow from newbie Rebecca Atwood is so beautiful and Biscuit Home’s ‘Jamie’ line is everything I love about this trend. Nervous this a little too out there for you? You can’t go wrong with a watercolor art print.

Links :: One // Two // Three // Four // Five //
Six // Seven // Eight // Nine 

It’s always fun update your wardrobe with a new fresh handbag at the beginning of the season. And this Spring, all I want to carry is one in solid white. I’ve been shopping around and have come across a bunch of great options. Unfortunately many of my favorites are well outside my price-range, but I have found a couple of budget-friendly bags including this tote for only $72, a $40 mini shopper, and a faux leather purse for $60.

My favorite in this roundup is Loeffler Randall’s Mini Rider. It’s the perfect combination of chic structure and modern femininity, a balance I love Loeffler Randall for. Two of my other top five actually happen to be bags I already own in other colors – the Amanda Hobo and the Mini MAC. I love both of these bags and use them all the time. Having one in a white option would a great solution.

As far as structured totes go, I actually prefer this Pour La Victoire version over some of the more expensive options from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang (not pictured) and Céline. And when it comes to clutches, I am still hoping to add a Claire Vivier to my collection.

I’m still trying to decide which one to make my go-to bag this Spring. What do y’all think?

Links :: One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten //
Eleven // Twelve // Thirteen // Fourteen // Fifteen // Sixteen // Seventeen // Eighteen

After eight months, this whole sharing my monthly purchases thing is not getting any easier. The vulnerability required is tough and I constantly find myself justifying purchases and being tempted to hide certain things from you. This month (March), Husband and I really took a deep look at our budget. We had become lazy, undisciplined and downright selfish with our money. When I say “we”, I really mean “me”, but it makes me feel better to know I have a partner in this whole money mess.

Although we put some guidelines in place mid-month to address our problem areas (shopping, personal care, eating out, giving and saving), March was no exception. Looking back at my monthly Purchase History, I can identify a few of my habits and thought behaviors that I should probably start working on.

1) I pretend that books don’t count against the budget because they’re “educational”. False. If you don’t have the money, you don’t have the money. I bought two books in March, neither of which I need. One because I read about it on a blog and thought it would be helpful for styling my blog posts and the second because I needed to spend more for free shipping, which brings me to…

2) I justify purchases to receive free shipping or other discounts. Danger. I need to stop. Or at least try to find items I need for gifts instead of extras for myself.

3) I feel like I “need” new clothes for special occasions / events. In March, I had my first TV appearance on D Living. In my head, this of course meant I needed a new dress. I knew I didn’t have a lot of money in the budget, so I only spent $40 on one at JCPenney. I do like it, but I definitely didn’t need it. And while I was at the store, I stumbled upon some lace shorts from the new Joe Fresh collection. I don’t regret these. They were cheap and I love them.

4) I really love following trends. Hence the mirrored patterned tunic I bought. I also tend to justify these because I use them in my outfit posts, right or wrong.

5) I prefer expensive make up. I am not a beauty junkie. All of my make up can fit into one small zippered pouch. I only own two perfumes, both gifts. And I rarely make an impulse beauty purchase. However, I do tend to spend a lot of money in this category. Once I find something, a color or brand, that works for me, I am pretty loyal. Even if that means shelling out $30 for a lipgloss. I’ll be honest, I am not ready to give that up.

6) I have a thing for organizational products. They’re not pictured, but a plastic pasta container, accordion files (a new set for 2013), a dish drying mat and shelves to organize my spices also made my Purchase History for March. Exciting, right? They’re obviously non-essentials, but they make my life cleaner, more organized and subsequently less stressful. I just hate that they count against the budget, so I tend to pretend they don’t. Seriously, I must think money grows on trees. My poor husband. Working on this.

7) I hate spending money on quick fixes. If I’m going to spend money on something I plan on having / needing long-term, I’d rather invest in something of quality that I absolutely love. For example, Husband and I finally decided that we do in fact need some window treatments for security reasons. Of course, I could run over to Ikea and pick up some cheap rods and panels, but not only would I hate them, but we’d never have the motivation to replace them. My expensive taste can definitely cause some problems.

These are just a few things I am learning about myself as a result of these posts. Good stuff, maturing stuff, life-changing stuff. I hope it brings y’all encouragement, too. All of us are in very different places when it comes to our financial situations. Regards if your racking it in, barely getting by, drowning in debt or hoarding for the apocalypse, evaluating your spending patterns and rational can be really eye-opening. I just encourage you not to compare to others. We all have different priorities and responsibilities. So after that extremely long intro, here’s my March Purchase History:

What I bought in March :: Plate to Pixel by Helene Dujardin // The New York Times, 36 Hours USA & Canada: Southwest & Rocky Mountains by Barbara Ireland // Jeans from Nordstrom // Floral top from Forever21 // Lace shorts (no longer available) and dress from JCPenney // Foundation from Make Up For Ever // Lipgloss (in glaze) from Chanel // Desk Chair from CB2* // Picture frames from Michaels // Dish drying mat from Bed Bath & Beyond // Accordion files and pasta container from The Container Store // Shelves from IKEA // Custom drapery rods from Antique Drapery Rod Co.

*Technically this is a business expense, which I don’t include, but I love this chair and wanted to share.

What I was gifted in March :: Earrings (in turquoise and emerald) from Addison Weeks // Bracelet from Frippery Vintage // Boots (in brown), booties and sandals (in marigold) from Minnetonka // Earrings from Elizabeth Cole via GiltCity // Bras from Wacoal // Earrings, floral dress and chambray dress from Old Navy // Blue Dot Stilt Floor Lamp and Robert Abbey Delta Lamp (in celandron) from Lumen Light + Living // Wire shelving unit and extra wire shelves from The Shelving Store

Things I bought and returned in March :: Floral top (in desert flower) from Sears // Bracelet (in green) from Madewell // Lazy Susan from Bed Bath & Beyond

*This includes all clothing, accessories, home decór, craft supplies, make-up etc. This list does not include food, toiletries, household cleaning supplies, gifts, items for Husband, bills, fees for personal services, travel expenses or business expenses.

Click Here to read all of Modern Eve’s Purchase History columns // Tweet at me using the hashtag #PurchaseHistory

ONE // Scallops are still one of my favorite trends. And this cow hide pillow uses it perfectly. It’s bound to sell out fast at this Joss & Main sale.

TWO // Lizzie Fortunato has quickly become one of my favorite jewelry designers. These statement fan studs are everything I want in an earring right now. More of a dangle girl? I love these, too.

THREE // In Texas, swimsuit season is here. Which means I better get on the bathing suit hunt. I tend to prefer the modesty of a malliot and this halter with braids provides the perfect amount of sexy. Plus, that color will enhance any tan.

FOUR // Everyone’s talking about Gwyneth’s new cookbook. Eating healthier and cleaner has been on my to-do list for months. This book might be just the inspiration I need.

FIVE // Mirrored patterns are not just for the runways. I am also digging them in art. These botanical prints from Sir Tom are mesmerizing – a Rorschach.

SIX // Flat summer sandals are on the wish list, for sure. And these from Rebecca Minkoff are quite near the top.

SEVEN // These lip pencils from Nars are the grown-up version of the Clinique Chubby Sticks I used in high school. I’ll take one in every color.

EIGHT // My iphone 4s is about to be retired. So… the hunt for a new iphone case begins. Banana leaf print for summer just feels right.

NINE // Kate Spade’s new line, Saturday, is certainly a media darling. While I’m not sold on everything, their signature black and white stripes look great on a modern weekender bag.

TEN // A wicker bull’s head? Need I say more.